Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 473 Review: Award-Winning Cruiser, Two Factories, One Name (2026)

What the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 473 actually is

The Oceanis Clipper 473 is a 14.30 m (46 ft 11 in) masthead sloop designed by Groupe Finot (Finot-Conq) and built by Beneteau between 2000 and 2005. Production ran at both the French yard and Beneteau's Marion, South Carolina facility. The boat won Cruising World's Best Production Cruiser (Over $200,000) award for 2001. Wikipedia records 400 hulls built by end of 2002, though Beneteau has not published a total for the full five-year run.

The hull is solid GRP with a structural inner grid and a balsa-cored deck. The keel-stepped mast, which was rare on production boats of that era, sits between double aft-swept spreaders. Two keel options were offered: a standard fin drawing 1.70 m with 3,700 kg cast iron ballast, and a deep fin at 2.11 m with 3,300 kg. Both carry CE Category A (Ocean) certification.

A word on naming. The "Clipper" suffix simply denotes a version with optional equipment (windlass, full electronics, genoa furler) included as standard. In the US market, Beneteau dropped the Clipper label entirely. There is no difference in hull, keel, or ballast between Clipper and non-Clipper boats. For a wider view of how Beneteau organises its product lines, see our Beneteau: The Complete Brand Guide for Charter & Buying.

Layout options run from two to four cabins, all with two heads and 6–8 berths depending on configuration. Headroom is 2.00 m throughout. Engine options varied across the production run: the typical installation was a Westerbeke 63 hp diesel, though Yanmar 75–100 hp and Volvo Penta D2-75 variants appear on individual boats. Fuel capacity sits around 454 L, water capacity at roughly 568 L, with some Clipper-spec boats carrying up to 600 L.

Sailing performance

The 473 was designed to be quick for a cruiser, and the numbers back that up. Total sail area with mainsail and 100% foretriangle is 84.95 m² (914 sq ft), expanding to 99.97 m² (1,076 sq ft) with a working genoa. PHRF ratings tell the story: 72–96 for the standard keel, 63–90 for the deep keel. That puts it firmly in the performance-cruiser bracket. Not a racer, but a boat that holds its own on a Wednesday night.

Theoretical hull speed is 8.87 knots. Under engine, a Yachting World archive test recorded 8 knots at 3,000 rpm, 9 knots at 3,500 rpm, and a peak of 10.5 knots at full throttle (4,400 rpm). That is exceptional motoring for an 11,012 kg cruiser.

The waterline length of 13.36 m gives the 473 a long, easily driven hull that rewards moderate winds. In Force 3–4 (7–16 knots), expect comfortable 6–7 knot averages. The deep-keel version points noticeably higher and is the better choice for anyone planning windward-heavy passages. At least one example completed the ARC transatlantic rally in 2007, which says something about the boat's offshore poise.

What owners praise

Two themes dominate owner feedback: the boat sails well and it handles rough weather with composure.

As one two-year owner put it on YBW Forum (25 Oct 2010): "She sails beautifully, feels really solid and takes all sorts of weather in her stride." Another owner, writing on a YachtWorld listing, described the 473 as "a breath of fresh air — fast, easy to handle, brings you home safe."

Build quality and simplicity

The solid GRP hull (no coring below the waterline) gives buyers one less thing to worry about during surveys. The keel-stepped mast adds structural integrity that deck-stepped rigs on competing production boats lack. Owners on SailNet note that 473 owners tend to be out sailing rather than fixing things. A telling observation for a boat now 20-plus years old.

Interior space

With 4.32 m beam and 2.00 m headroom, the 473 feels bigger below than many 47-footers. The saloon is wide and airy. One owner on Sailboat Owners Forums offered a balanced take: "Overall quality is very good but it's still a 'production boat'; storage could be better." That storage criticism comes up repeatedly. The boat favours open living over clever locker arrangements.

Weak points and what they cost

Every boat has its list. The 473's is well-documented, and most items are manageable if you budget for them at purchase.

Stern sits low

The transom lip sits at or below the waterline at rest, causing persistent algae staining and water intrusion into the cockpit locker area. Adding a generator or dinghy davits makes this worse. This is a design characteristic, not a defect. It cannot be fixed, only managed. Budget for antifoul application right to the transom lip and avoid adding weight aft.

Hot water calorifier

The calorifier (hot water tank) was factory-mounted without airspace around it. To remove a leaking unit, owners typically have to cut it in half as it simply will not come out intact. Surveyors have noted this on multiple 2002 boats. The standard fix is cutting out the failed tank and fitting a smaller replacement. Budget €800–€1,500 for parts and labour if this has not been addressed already. Ask the seller directly whether the original calorifier is still in place.

Rudder stock

The spade rudder uses a GRP stock bonded through the hull in a GRP tube. Owners preparing for bluewater passages have added support brackets, noting this arrangement is a weakness common to Beneteau designs of the era. Early-model 473s (2000–2001) also show signs of galvanic corrosion around rudder post bearings. A marine surveyor should pay particular attention here. Reinforcement runs roughly €1,000–€2,000 depending on the yard.

Cutlass bearing and propeller

The cooling and water intake for the cutlass bearing (the bearing that supports the propeller shaft where it exits the hull) is inadequate on 2000s-era Beneteau boats. A repairman noted these can be badly worn within five years depending on motoring hours. Replacement is a standard haul-out job. Separately, owners with 100 hp Yanmar engines and Maxi-Prop feathering propellers have reported cavitation vibration above 2,000 rpm, and pitch adjustment gives only marginal improvement.

Balsa deck core

The deck uses balsa core for weight saving. Any neglected deck hardware leak, whether chainplates, stanchion bases, or winch bolts, can admit moisture and rot the core. This is a standard survey concern on any 20-year-old boat with cored decks. Tap-test the entire deck during survey and budget €3,000–€5,000 per affected area if rot is found.

Water system plumbing

Multiple owners report that the tank manifold layout does not match the owner's manual. Y-valves are plumbed opposite to each other from factory, causing tank overflows until the system is remapped. This is a cheap fix once diagnosed, but it can cause real frustration and a flooded bilge for new owners who trust the manual.

Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 473 price: what the market asks

As of August 2026, approximately 57 listings for the Oceanis 473 and Oceanis Clipper 473 are visible across major platforms. The distinction between "Clipper" and non-Clipper listings is largely a naming convention rather than a meaningful price differentiator.

The cheapest boat on the market as of August 2026 is a 2004 hull in Croatia listed at €69,900. At the top end, well-equipped examples reach €170,000. The indicative 25th/75th percentile range sits around €107,000 to €150,000 (as of August 2026), though these figures are derived from observed listing scatter, not a statistical sample.

Boat Trader's average across 14 US listings is US$159,000 (as of August 2026). Caribbean-based ex-charter boats, such as a 2006 hull in Antigua at €99,900, sit at the lower end but may carry higher maintenance burdens. Mediterranean and Northern European boats with documented service histories command the strongest prices.

What drives price differences

• Keel type: Deep-keel boats often command a premium from performance-oriented buyers
• Engine: Boats repowered with Yanmar or Volvo Penta command more than tired Westerbeke installations
• Layout: The 3-cabin version is the most common and liquid; 2-cabin owner's versions appeal to long-distance cruising couples
• Deck core condition: A clean moisture survey result is worth thousands at the negotiating table

Who this boat fits / doesn't

It fits

• Cruising couples planning coastal and offshore passages: The CE Category A rating is backed by genuine structural merit, a solid hull, keel-stepped mast, and a proven ARC track record. The 2-cabin layout gives a couple generous private space and a dedicated workshop/storage cabin.
• Families who want a roomy weekender with legs: The 3 or 4-cabin layouts sleep 6–8. With 2.00 m headroom and strong motoring performance, this works as well for a weekend in the Solent as for a summer cruise to Corsica.
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting genuine 47 ft performance: At €107,000–€150,000, you are getting a well-designed 47-footer for what a new 34-footer costs. The Finot-Conq hull is a generation newer in thinking than many competitors at this price.

It doesn't fit

• Buyers unwilling to survey thoroughly: The balsa deck core, rudder stock, and calorifier issues mean a cheap survey is a false economy. Walk away if the seller resists a full haul-out inspection.
• Solo sailors seeking minimum-effort boat handling: At 11,012 kg with an 84.95 m² sail plan, this is manageable solo, but it is not built for it. Furling systems and electric winches were not standard on all boats.
• Anyone shopping for a low-maintenance marina ornament: A 20-year-old 47-footer demands active ownership. The 473 rewards attention, but it requires it.

Verdict

The Oceanis Clipper 473 sits in a specific and valuable spot in the used market: a genuine offshore-capable 47-footer from a reputable designer, available for well under €150,000 in good condition. The solid GRP hull ages well. The keel-stepped rig inspires confidence. Performance under sail and power is above average for the class.

The problems are real but quantifiable. Budget €3,000–€5,000 on top of the purchase price for a calorifier replacement, rudder stock inspection and possible reinforcement, and a thorough deck-core moisture survey. If any of those come back with serious issues, use the findings to negotiate or walk.

The decision is straightforward. If you want 47 feet of proven offshore boat for the price of a new 34-footer, and you are willing to invest in a proper pre-purchase survey and address known weak points, the 473 is one of the strongest values in its size range. If you want a turn-key boat that demands nothing from its owner, look elsewhere.